Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

 April 5, 2021:  An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 rattled Bhutan with epicenter located 33 km NNW of Samtse, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 8.4 km. The tremor was widely felt across different areas of Bhutan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. In India, most of the felt reports have been received from Gangtok, Darjeling, Kalimpong areas. The earthquake was even felt in Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan.  Similarly, the people of Bhadrapur, Damak, Biratnagar and Dharan areas of Nepal reported about the tremor. The tremor was felt by most of cities in eastern part of Nepal. 

May 2, 2019: According to an advisory issued by National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Royal Government of Bhutan on May 2, 2019, Bhutan is very likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the southern, eastern and isolated places of central parts of the country due to Cyclone Fani. The rest of the country is likely to receive moderate to heavy rain from 3rd May to 5th May.  Gusty wind is also very likely over the country during this period. Following the cyclone projected path, Bhutan will most likely not feel the direct impact of cyclone Fani. It indicated low pressure towards Bhutan. Bhutan is expected to have the peripheral effect of the cyclone due to the large size of the cyclonic system. Cyclone Fani has became an "extremely severe cyclonic" storm wind speeds up to 200 kmph keeping Coastal Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh region of India on high alert. 

A windstorm has damaged roofs of atleast 17 houses in Punakha district of Bhutan Thursday morning at 10am. Windstorm has totally destroyed roofs of eight houses while others have been partially blown off, Kuensel Online has written quoting, Tshewang Phuntsho, Disaster focal person of Punakha dzongkhag.

Hailstorm in Punakha area of Bhutan has affected nearly 60 household and destroyed more than 80 acres of paddy field. According to the ongoing crop damage assessment report, hailstorm caused destruction in Goenshari, Shengana, Kabisa and Chubu gewogs.

Storm in Bhutan has damaged more than 300 houses in eleven dzongkhags. Dogar and Shaba under Paro district are worst affected. Over 170 houses have been damaged in Haa district and 136 houses in Paro, Kuensel Online reported. Windstorm in Bhutan has also brought down all phone and mobile connections since yesterday morning.  Other affected districts include Chukha, Samtse, Trashigang, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Gasa, Dagana, Bumthang and Lhuentse, the department of disaster management (DDM) said. Original post: Natural Disasters List December 17, 2013